Sunday, October 22
San Jose, Calif.
12:20
Bucknell University
12
vs
16
Air Force
Men’s Water Polo’s Falls Just Short Against Air Force on Final Day of Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament
10/22/2023 3:06:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Bucknell men's water polo team put forth a strong effort against Air Force in its Sunday match-up at the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament, but the Falcons took home a 16-12 win. The Bison finished the weekend 0-4 against high-quality competition and now look forward to traveling back east to prepare for their final weekend conference play and then hosting the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Championship at home in Lewisburg at Kinney Natatorium.
Bucknell and Air Force were neck and neck for the first half of play, with the Bison only trailing by two goals. The Falcons held on to their lead, never allowing the Bison to surpass them on the scoresheet.
On a man-up advantage for the Bison in the second quarter, senior attacker Walker Butler ripped a shot into the cage with the help from junior attacker Shay Gillearn. Senior center Doruk Ozar wanted in on the action and found himself in a prime scoring position when Butler passed him the ball, and he fired off a shot that hit the back of the cage.
The Bison were 4-for-12 on power plays against the Falcons, surpassing Air Force's 3-for-11 efficiency.
Bucknell came close to obtaining a lead in the third quarter when it outscored Air Force 5-4. Sophomore attacker Aleksa Stefanovic had a standout game, including three huge goals in the third. Hasan Mogultay took advantage of the scoring momentum to earn himself an assist to Stefanovic and tally two goals.
Stefanovic won the sprint for Bucknell to start the fourth with a possession advantage. Unfortunately for the Bison, the Falcons went on a 3-1 run in the final period. Mogultay had the only goal in the fourth quarter when he successfully put the ball into the back of the net on a penalty shot.
Up next, the Bison travel to New York on October 29th, taking on No. 16 Fordham and Wagner for their final two conference games.
Bucknell and Air Force were neck and neck for the first half of play, with the Bison only trailing by two goals. The Falcons held on to their lead, never allowing the Bison to surpass them on the scoresheet.
On a man-up advantage for the Bison in the second quarter, senior attacker Walker Butler ripped a shot into the cage with the help from junior attacker Shay Gillearn. Senior center Doruk Ozar wanted in on the action and found himself in a prime scoring position when Butler passed him the ball, and he fired off a shot that hit the back of the cage.
The Bison were 4-for-12 on power plays against the Falcons, surpassing Air Force's 3-for-11 efficiency.
Bucknell came close to obtaining a lead in the third quarter when it outscored Air Force 5-4. Sophomore attacker Aleksa Stefanovic had a standout game, including three huge goals in the third. Hasan Mogultay took advantage of the scoring momentum to earn himself an assist to Stefanovic and tally two goals.
Stefanovic won the sprint for Bucknell to start the fourth with a possession advantage. Unfortunately for the Bison, the Falcons went on a 3-1 run in the final period. Mogultay had the only goal in the fourth quarter when he successfully put the ball into the back of the net on a penalty shot.
Up next, the Bison travel to New York on October 29th, taking on No. 16 Fordham and Wagner for their final two conference games.
Players Mentioned
ATK
/ Men's Water Polo
ATK
/ Men's Water Polo
CD
/ Men's Water Polo
Center
/ Men's Water Polo
ATK
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